Machine for packing flat packets and the like



n 25, 1935- M. PARIDON MACHINE FOR PACKING FLAT PACKETS AND THE LIKEFiled Jan. 50, 1934 '7 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 25, 1935. M. PARIDON2,006,147

MACHINE FOR PACKING FLAT PACKETS AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. so, 1954' 7Sheets-Sheet 2 m 7 MTV/607;) 7 75 5%7Drcer/ I69 WM ym yam Jun 25, 1935.M. PARIDON 2,006,147

MACHINE F03 PACKING FLAT PACKETS AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 30, 1954 7Sheets-Sheet 5 June 25, 1935. M. PARIDON 2,005,147 MACHINE FOR PACKINGFLAT PACKETS AND THE LIKE 1 7 Filed Jan. 30, 1954 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 v QLa LQ Q n 8 E Q g N ,l ru/c -ralovp June 25, 1935. M. PARIDON V '2', 4MACHINE FOR PACKING FLAT PACKETS AND THE LIKE I Filed Jan. 30, 1954 7Sheets-Sheet 5 June 25, 1935- M. PARIDON 2,006,147

l MACHINE \FOR PACKING FLAT PACKETS AND THE LIKE Filed Jan.'50, 1954 7Sheets-Sheet 6 175- 1&7 12;

June 25, 1935. M. PARIDON MACHINE FOR PACKING FLAT PACKETS AND THE LIKE'7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Jan. 30, 1954 Patented June 25, 1935 STATE"MACHINE FOR PACKING FLATPACKETS AND THE LIKE Michael gParidon Barbertonjohio, assignor to- The Diamond Match Gompany, New York,

7 "N. Y., a corporation offMaryland Application January 30, 1934, SerialNo. 708,963

I v 24 Claims.

Thisinvention relates to a'machine forpacking flat packets, such as bookor card matches, which machineis especially, though not exclusively,designed for use inconnection with a book-match i making machineembodying parallel delivery troughs along which the articles areadvanced. In each of the troughs match books of tapering fiat form arealigned in upright end position, face to face, with the large or headends of adjacent books oppositely-disposed, that is to say,.the endwisepositions of alternate books of the row are reversed as to the matchheads. The principal object of. my invention is to provide a machinewhereby succeeding leadingpackets of two con- I currently advancing rowsare removed in a uniform and orderly manner and progressively assembledin two separate rows comprising each a predetermined number of packets,and whereby the-two rows of packets thus assembled are arranged: inclose parallel relation and-then packed in a commercial carton; the.various mechanisms of the packing machine operating automatically andin timedrelation to each other.

- With this object in view, and others which will presently appear,theinvention embodies fea tures ofconstruction and organization, andprinciples of operation, which will be'hereinafter described; the scopeof the invention then being expressed in: the appended claims.

"In'the'drawings-' i Figure 1 is a side elevation of a packing machineembodying a form --of my invention, the mechanisms being shown intheirrelative positions immediately upon the assembly of two separate rows ofarticles preparatory to their asso- :ciation.- i a Fig. 2 is an endelevation of the machine.

" "Fig; 3 is a-horizontal section of the machine, as onthe line 3-3 ofFig. l.

Fig. i'is a similar section, as onthe line 4-4 *of Fig. 1.

.-Fig. 5 is alongitudinal vertical section, as on the line 5-5 of Fig.24 1 Fig. 6 is a transverse vertical section of the machine, asonqtheline, 6--6 of Fig. l. i

Fig. 7 is a transverse vertical section, as'on the line l'l of Fig. l',but showing the mechanisms intheirrelative positions during the packingof the-associated rows of articles in a container.

Fig.8 is a partial plan of a slotted bridge struc ture, including. itsassembly chambers, showthe article supply troughs at the respectivesides ofthe structure,reciprocative.ejectors for transferring theleading articles from the troughs wto the respective chambers; pusherand backer (o1. saw-4) rods vfor the articles as they are progressivelydelivered to-and alinged in the'assembly chambers, and lifters for therows of assembled articles.

1 Fig. 9 is a vertical section'through-the bridge structure and adjunctaas ;on the line.9-9-.of Fig. 8, but showing the lifters intheirlupwardstrokes advancing the opposing rows oiarticles to and upon the doorsofthe bridge throauand also showing the presser members for aligning therows in close parallel relation above; ,me

throat. I i

v Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a match packet.

Fig. 11 Ba plan of a commercial carton, with match packets assembledtherein inrparallel rows. The -main supporting frame of the form, ofpacking machine illustrated in the. drawings com: prises a base spacedparallel standards, 2 Lrising from the base, and, spaced transversecrossbars 22 for the standards. .These standardshave formed on their upperlateral portions outward extensions 23 upon which are respectivelysupported the outer ends of two spaced; parallel dis.- charge troughs 24which may extend; from.:a match-book machine or other source ,of book.-match supply. The troughs supportandguide in-parallel rows the matchbooks (or other packets) which are being progressively delivered to thereceiving ends of the .trougha'with the tapering fiat backs of each row.of books in upright end position, face .toface, and with the. large orhead ends of adjacent books oppositely disposed; in order to ensure auniform and compact assembly of the books.

Alongthe. bottoms of the respective troughs are the upper runs oftravelling endless chains =25which receive the lower edges of the matchbooks and frictionally advance the books through the troughs to theouter end walls 26 of the latter where predetermined numbers of theleading books are progressively separated from the respective rows in'the troughs and positioned in assembly chambers, 27, at the sides of thepacking machine; Y g i A commercial book match carton, as commonly used,contains fifty books arranged in twoad- ,jacent equal rows, andthereforethepresent ma- ;chine has been so designed that ineach operat-'ing'cyc1e thereof twenty-five of the reversely disposed books aretransferred from each trough to the adjacent assembly chamber. To this 1end mechanism is provided whereby the leadingbooks of each, row areshifted in succeedingpairs from the trough into the adjacent assemblingchamber until twentyfour books have been separated from :the row andassembled, whereupon a single leadings in one side of the main frame.

ing book of the row is pushed from the trough into the chamber tocomplete the count. The transfer mechanisms of the respective troughsare designed to effect the simultaneous transference of match books fromthe troughs to the respective chambers. Each of the transfer mechanismsin a desired form includes a bifurcated ejector head 28 which isreciprocative horizontally through the adjacent trough, the walls ofwhich latter are vertically slotted, as at 29, to permit thefree passageof the head. The head is afllxed to an upstanding lug 30 on a horizontalslide 3| which is guided in ways 32 on an outwardly projecting shelf 33whereof the flange 34 is fastened on the extension of the adjacent framestandard. This shelf is slotted, as at 35, for the free passage of adepending roll 36 on the slide, which roll is operatively received bythe race of a cam 91 fast on one end of a transverse shaft 38 extendingtransversely of the machine and continuously driven in any suitablemanner during the transference of the books to the assembly chambers.The cam races for the respective slides are of corresponding form but inopposite relation, and therefore during the rotation of the cams theslides are reciprocated in opposite directions to each other.

As herein illustrated the shaft 38 has its bearings in the framestandards'and also in hubs 39 on the flanges 34 of the respectiveshelves. This shaft has fast thereon a bevel gear 40 in mesh with asimilar gear 4| on the upper end of a vertical shaft 42 which has itsbearings in a bracket v43 at one side of the main frame. Fast on thelowerend'of the shaft 42 is a bevel gear 44 in mesh with a similar gear45'loose on a longitudinally disposed drive shaft 46 having its bear-The shaft 46 has fast thereon a pulley 41 which is connected with anddriven from a suitable source of power. The bevel gear 45 isperiodically connected to and released from the drive shaft by suitableclutch mechanism presently described. When suchgear is clutched on theshaft 46 motion is transmitted at corresponding speed from the latter tothe transverse shaft 38 and its cams 31, and

therefore the slides 3| together with their ejectors 28, aresimultaneously reciprocated transversely of the respectivetroughs 24; itbeing noted that the contour of the races of the earns 31 is such thatin one half rotation of the cams the slides are moved inward, andin theremaining half rotation they are retracted.

As herein illustrated the bevel gear 45 is backed by a collar 48 fast onthe drive shaft 46, and the hub on the opposite side of the gear isprovided with a clutch member 49 in cooperative relation to acomplementary clutch-member 50 on a sleeve which is splined on the shaft46 for sliding movement toward and from the clutch member of the gearhub. I The sleeve is formed with a circumferential groove 52 whichreceives rolls 53 on the upstanding members 54 of the bifurcated upperend of a rocker arm 55 which is fulcrumed at its lower end on a shaft 56fixed between brackets 51 on the frame base 20. The hub of the (SeeFigs.

The'cam shaft 6 3 is driven in timed relation to the drive shaft 46through a suitably-disposed train of reducing gears between the twoshafts, the gear train shown comprising a small gear 65 on the driveshaft in mesh with'a larger gear 66 on a lower shaft 61 parallel withthe drive shaft;

odically moved toefiect the sliding engagement of the sleeve clutch 56with the gear clutch 49 and maintain the clutching actionfor a halfrotation of the cam 6|, and then to effect the disengaging relation ofthe clutches and maintain such relative position thereof during thesucceeding half rotation of the cam.

From the foregoing it will be seen that when the bevel gear 45 isclutched to the drive shaft 46 the upper cam shaft 38 makes thirteenrotations to each half rotation of the lower cam shaft 63 and then restsduring the succeeding half rotation of the shaft 63; During therotational period of the upper cam shaft 38 twenty-five books aretransferred from each of the book troughs 24 to the adjacent assemblychamber 21, and during the idle period of such cam shaft the books aretransferred from the two chambers to an upper level where they areuniformly arranged in close parallel relation and then efficientlypacked in an underlying carton (C), as will hereinafter appear.

The acting end of each of the bookejectors 28 is of sufficient width toengage two opposing books at the discharge end of the adjacent trough,and

hence during each inward stroke of the ejector the two opposing leadingbooks are simultaneously pushed from the trough assembly chamber 21. 1

When each 'of theejectors 28 has made twelve reciprocations, andtherefore transferred twentyfour books to the adjacent assembly'chambena single leading book 'is pushed from the trough into thechamber, thus completing the row of twenty-five assembled books. To thisend mechanism is provided to push the leading book in the troughslightly rearward so that it alone will be in the path of the acting endof the ejector. The mechanism illustrated for this purpose comprises ahorizontally reciprocative rod 13 whereof the free end is seated in theperforated outer end wall 26 of the trough to'be movable against theopposing face of the leading book which 'is seated in the path of theejector 28. The outer end of the rod 13 is pivotally connected to thetop of an upstanding arm14 fast on a' transverse rock-shaft 15 which hasits bearings. in the outer ends of the frame standards. The arms for thetwo rods are fixed at the respective ends of the shaft 15. Fast on thisshaft is" a depending arm 16 having at its lower end a roll 11 whichis'normally held by means of a suitably disposed spring 18 against theflat face of a cam 19 on the lower cam shaft 63 previously described. I

In this face of the'cam 19 is a suitably-located socket 96 which reachesthe roll 11 immediately upon the delivery of twenty-four books to each'of the assembly chambers, whereupon the roll is caused to enter thesocket by the retractive action of the spring 18 on the depending leverarm 16.

Consequently this arm is swung slightly outward and the rocker shaft 15is partially turned clockinto the adjacent chambers; "it being notedthat the bifurcated actingpoition of each ejector embraces the in-Wardly projecting end of the adjacent rod. In the next succeedingbackward strokes of the respective ejectors, the bevel gear 45 isunclutched from the drive shaftMi; thus temporarily stopping the uppercam' shaft38 and therewith the operation of the electors; a'r'id'v'vhenthe socket 813 in the face of the cam '18 escapes the roll H the arms 14andlG are actuated by the opposing cam face "to retracttherespective'rods 13 to their original outward positions and therein holdthem during a'complete rotationof the shaft'63, whereupon the socketwill againreceive the roll.

- Thefloors of the assembly chambers 21 are at the'same level as thefloors of the adjacent book troughs so as to receive and support thelower ends of the match books as theyaretransferred by the electors fromthetroughs to the chambers, which floors are constituted by'the heads 8!of oppositely swinging T-arrns 82 when the latter are indownwardposition, as will be hereinafter described. The ends of the chambers areformed by the'lower vertical portions of the two spaced parallelwalls B3of a bridge structure which is bolted to the respective frame standards,the space between the walls substantially corresponding in length withthat of a row of twenty-five match books.

" The bridge walls 83 are rounded at their ends, as at 84, and haverectangular openings 85 in their body portions. The inner side of eachwall is formed or otherwise provided with curved ribs BE 'a-djacent toand concentric with the respective ends of the wall, each of which ribsextends through an arc of aboutQO". The ribs of one wall correspond inform with the adjacent ribs of the other wall, and are edgewise spacedto provide between the walls two oppositely curved cen trally slottedbridge trackswhich rise from the respective assembly chambers andterminate at a horizontal level adjacent'thetops of the vertical sidesof-the openings BELthus affording a throat 81 between the upper ends ofthetwo tracks. The throat is provided with a movable barrier, comprisinginthe present instance a pair of normallyclosed swinging doors 8B whichare hinged at their outer ends; as at 89, to and between the side walls"of the bridge structure. The-doors are maintained yieldingly inhorizontal or closing position across the throat by suitable torsionalsprings 90 which are secured-to the pintles of the doors and to theadjacent bridge walls (see Figs. 3, 5, 8

'The'lower portions of the tracksflfi are positioned to affordendabutments'and horizontal guides for the match books asahd when the booksare transferred to the respectiveassembly'chambers by thereciprocatingbifurcated ejectors 28.

Mechanism is provided to maintain the match books (13) in uprightposition within each of'the assembly chambers and'advance the bookstherea'long'asthe books'are being progressively assembled in a row inthe chamber. In the present instance this mechanismincludes two "opposedhorizontallyreciprocativerods 9| and 92 which -*are guidedinperforations in the respectiveend walls of each ofthe assembly chambers.The rod EH is seated in the end wall atthe receiving end. of the chamberand isreciprocative with a stroke equal to the width of two booksseatedin the assembly chamber, thereby bearing against the i opposing books insuccession and pushing them bodily along the chamberas rapidly as theyare received thereby. The rods 9| for the respective chambers may betermed push rods.

The means illustrated for reciprocating the two push rods si in timedrelation to the respective ejectors 23 comprises a pair of spacedcounterpart cams 93 fast on the upper cam shaft =38; Horizontal plungers94. which are slidably mounted in one of the upper cross-bars22,'are'he1d with their inner ends yieldingly in contact with therespective cams 93 by means of suitably-disposed springs95. The'outerends of these plung cm are pivotally connected, as at'96, with the lowerarms of a pair of vertical rock levers-9l which are fulcrumed, at 98, onthe respective frame standards, and the upper ends of the levers arepivotally connected, in turn, with the respective push rods 9!. 1 v

' The rod 92 is seated in jth'e bridge wall at the remote end of theassembly chamber, and is gradually moved along and substantiallythroughout the length of the chamber. The free or acting'end of the rod92 is initially positioned adjacent "the receiving end of the chamber tof ejectors 28 comprises a cam 99 fast on the adjacent end'of the lowercam shaft 63, the race lllfl of the cam having a dwell portion 16!"extending about one-half of its circumference and oppositely-inclinedacting portions N32 communicating with the respective ends of thedw'ellportion and converging to a short dwell portion 103.

' Operatively fitted in the race Hill of the cam 99 is a roll HM on thelower end of a depending arm 185 which is fast on a transverserockershaft i063 having its bearings in rearward ektensions Hi! of theframe standards. This shaft IM' has secured thereto a pair of spacedupstanding arms 5% whereof the upper ends are pivotally connected bylinks I09 to the outer ends ofthe respective backer rods 92. Henceduring the rotation of the cam 99 the two backer rods are simultaneouslyactuated and controlled, that it to say, when'the respective assemblychambers have received their full quota of match books, the backer rodsarefully retracted by the engagement'of v the roll HM with the dwellportion ml of the cam race; which condition of the rods obtains duringa, half rotation of the cam. Immediately thereafter the outwardlyinclined portion "I02 of the cam race receives the roll HM and retractsit and its arm 35 during substantially a quarter rotation of the cam,thus gradually advancing th backer rods within the assembly chambersuntil the free ends of the rods are adjacentthe paths of the" respectiveejectors 28 and in position to serve as back supports for the firstpairs "of match books entered in'the respective chambers. Thereupontheroll I04 rides on the'sho'rt dwell portion I03 at the apex of theinclined portionscf the cam race and the backer rods are at rest, duringwhich interval the first books are transferred by the ejectors 28 fromthe troughs to the respective chambers. The following inclined portionI02 of the cam race then receives the roll I04 which together with itsarm is swung inward during a quarter rotation of the cam 99, thusgradually retracting the two backer rods 9 timed relation to the entryof the succeeding books in the assembly chambers. At the completion ofthe cycle of the cam 99 the dwell portion IOI of the cam race I00 againreceives the roll I04 of the rocker-arm I05, and so on during theoperation of themachine the periodic inward and outward movements anddwells of the backer rods are effected. I v

The relation of the race I00 of the cam 99 to that of the clutch controlcam BI, hereinbefore described, is such that when the clutch sleeve 5|is actuated to release from the drive shaft 46 the bevel gear 45 whichis included-in the transmission gearing for the upper cam shaft 38, the

dwell portion II of the cam 99 engages the roll I04 of the rocker armI05, and therefore the operation of the mechanism for transferring thebooks from the troughs to the assembly chambers, together with that ofthe mechanism for actuating the pusher rods 9| at the receiving ends ofthe chambers, is suspended during the inactive intervals ofthe retractedbacker rods 92 at the opposite ends of the chambers. I

In each of these inactive intervals the two rows of assembled books arebodily lifted from the respective chambers 21 and swung upward andtoward each other upon the respective tracks 86 by actuation of theoscillatory T-arms 82 hereinbefore referred to. In this upward movementof the T-arms the two rows of books are swung thereby through oppositearcs of 90 respectively, thus partially turning the rows and compactlypositioning them upon the doors 88 for the throat I" at the upper endsof the tracks, and with the books of the respective rows in close end toend relation preparatory to their delivery as a unit to a carton locatedbeneath the throat, as will presently appear.

As illustrated the shanks of the T-arms 82 are fast on a pair of spacedparallel rockershafts IIO having their axes coincident with the centersfrom which the respective trackways are described. These shanks extendradially and freely through the slots between thetracks, and the heads8| of the arms overlie and travel in proximity to the adjacent tracksduring th swinging motion of the T-arms.

The shafts I I0 have their bearings in the walls of the bridge structureandin brackets III secured to the frame standards. These shafts areprovided, adjacent the .brackets, with outwardly extending crank arms H2which are pivotally connected, asat II3, to the upper ends of two rodsH4 which depend adjacent the machine base 20 and are shaped to overlapat their lower extremities directly below the axis of the lower asuitable cam race I I9 in the face of the cam ill on theshaft- 63, thecontour of the race being such that duringthe rotation of the cam BI theroll H8 and therewith the rods III are periodically raised and loweredin a manner to.

oscillate the shafts H0, and their respective T- arm. The shafts IIO areactuated and controlled immediately upon the complete assembly of therows of. books in the respective chambers 21. and while the bookejectors 28-and the pusher and backer rods 9| and 92, respectively, areat rest.

As an efficient means to bar the entry of books of the respective rowsinto the slots of the curved trackways of the bridge structure, not'onlywhen the books are being entered in and moved along the assemblychambers .21, but also while the rowsare being swung upward to positionthem above the discharge throat/81 of the structure, a resilient guardblade I20 is affixed at one'end to thehub of each of the T-arms 82, sothat normally the outer or free end of the blade extends slightly inadvance of the radial acting face of the head III. This blade end ispositioned to travel freely in the slot'with theextremity of the bladeflush with the upper face of the track. Preferably a reinforcing leafspring I2I is secured at itslower end to the base of the blade I29 andto the adjacent hub'so as to exert pressure against the inner-face ofthe guard blade. (See Figs. 8 and 9).

By the construction just described it will be seen that the'spaced freeends of the guard blades I20 serve to bar the accidental entry in therespective slots of any of the books situated at the mouths of theslots, not only during the assembly of thebooks in the respectivechambers, but also during the upward travel of the books between thewalls of the bridge positions with the acting radial faces of the heads8| in close relation to the doors. This done, the T-arms, together withthe guard springs, are retracted from the doors, and permitted to assumetheir relative downward positions in the bridge structure. I

As an efficient means to position the two rows of books uniformly and inclose parallel relation when they have been placed upon the closedthroat doors, preparatory to the delivery of the associated booksthorugh the throat to an un-x derlying carton or other appropriatecommer-; cial container, a pair of elongated presser members' aremounted and arranged for swinging movement toward and from therespective sides of the throat in timed relation to the T-arms, so asyieldingly to embrace the two rows of books when they have been moved toand upo the throat doors by the T-arms. 1

In the construction illustrated each of the presser members comprises aplate I22 having an upstanding acting portion I23 at its inner end, anda pair of pivot receiving lugs I24 at its outer end, which plate isapproximately as wide as the space between the inner walls of the bridgestructure so as to be freely movable therebetween in respect to thecurved book supporting tracks. The lugs are pivoted, as at I25, to thelower end of a depending arm I26 which is loose on a rock shaft I21journaled in spaced upright members I28 on theiadjacent' frame standard.Fast on the shaft I21 adjacent the hub of the arm I26, is. a dependingactuating foot I29 having a lateral toe I30 which lies in contact new..nmximi yto t e huhi the tuatin f t I28.- (S Fi s-.1 2,1 37; nti

'. Cerresp nd ns vmoun ed epe din arm I 2.5

forthe respec Presser member are enmlo ed,

' h actua ins. t I29 forthe espective rm b n pp sitely. dispos d as.shown,- 'Ihesearm .126 arec nn ct dhy atension sprin 13.2 whichmaintains. them .yieldingly .incontact with, the "toes 43.0 .of therespective feet I29.

. The .inneror acting. ends Qfthe presser members areprovided'withprojections or studs; 230' which arideupon and .are .supportedby. theupper edgesof the bridge walls 03. during. the reciprocation ofsuch.members toward. andwfromeach other. These edgescompri ehorizontahportions 23I' which support. the studs to maintainthe.respective .presser. members with their acting ends I23 in the plane ofthe books, above the throat, d. also c m ri e. suitably-dispo ed. rsedcam portions 232 which lift the ,studszand the presser members toposition the acting endsof the latter above, the paths. of. the books onthe; trackways as and whenthe presserv members approach and reach. thelimits of their outward strokes, as hereinafter described.

The two rock shafts I21 haveaflixed thereto the outer ends of inwardlyextending arms I 33, respectively, whereof the inner ends are providedwith meshing gear sectors-134,;- and hence when oneof the shafts I21-ispartially turned, the

companion shaft. is similarly; turned, but in an opposite direction.Fast on one of the shafts I21 isthe inner. end ofan outwardly extendingarm I35 which is pivotally connected bya link I36 with a rocker arm I31extending from alower transverse shaft I38 journaled in bearings intheframe standards. On this shaft I38 is secured arms l33.

.uIn the extended interval. when the concentric :Dortion 1.42 of theti lrace 4' isensased ith the roll I 40 the. a m 13$..i .main i dq ni raisedposition to retract the actuating feet I29 andpermit .the arms. I26through their spring 1 connection. I32 to move .the presser membersyieldingly toward each-other; and inthe relatively short interval whenthe depression, I43 is passing the roll .I4.0 .therocker arm. I39 islow- -ered and raised by the. retractive force of the spring I32 throughthe, connections between. the

upper rockvshafts andthelower rock-shaft Whentheroll I40 .15 in the.depression and the rock arm I39..is.lowere.d,.the actuating feet..I29

and the opposingv arms IZS wWiththeir pivoted 'presser members are inouter positions with the r projectionsor. studs 230 resting on the camportions.232of thebridgestruoture, thus supportins -.th ipr s r memb rsabove the pa hs. of h 'Tsarmssand the books during .the succeedingupward and return strokes of the T arms, The

depression receives the..rol1:..l4.0 until. the two row r-b oks a n u uward nt placedv upon the throat doors by the T-ar whereupon as thesearms swing back ard the depression recedes from, and the concentricportionj l4 2fof the cam race co-acts with.the roll,

h s ra s n h r a m .9 ndefi c n the outward movement of the actuatingfeet IZQ to permit the spring to retract the arms I25 .and theirrespective presser members.L Intheinitial inward movements ofthesepresser members their studs. 230-;pass from the cam portions 232110 the lowerhorizontal portions 23I of the bridge walls, and inconsequence the presser members drop into the horizontal plane of thebooks previously positioned on the doors, so that in thepontinuance oftheir inward movements said members bear s uar myet yi ld ly. a ainstthe pposin rows sf books and centrally align them above the b id th a nhe r n movem ts o h n es er m ers as. t y pp o ch 1 h irpu e l mits. sucm m r a a s d y h pas a e-9 their projections. or studs 230 ontherespective 08.111'901110113232 01 the bridge walls.-

While the presser members are embracing the associated books the latterare depressed as. a unit to open the doors and pass thence through thethroat 81 into a suitably positioned carton, as will presently appear.The rock-arm, I39 .is held in raised position by'the concentric portionI42 of the cam race during each succeedingldownward and upward stroke ofthe T-arms, and also in the intermediate interval when the arms are indown position and the match books arebeing transferred to and arrangedin the respective assembly chambers.

The means herein illustratedfor movin the associated .rows of booksthrough the;. .brl. e throat, against the. resilient action of the doors80, comprises. a vertically reciprocative plunger M4 which is guided ina bracket structure 14} secured to one. of the frame standards. Thelower acting surface of the plunger, which normally overlies the throat81 in a plane above that of the associated rows of books, corresponds indimensions with the opposing area of the books embraced by the parallelacting portions I23 of thepresser members. The upper. end of thisplunger .is pivotally connected' by a link QIQG.

to the inner ends of a pair of inwardly-ektending arms I41 which areaffixed at their outer ends to the respective rock-shafts I21. Henceduring the oscillatory motion of the shafts I21, .asthe depression. I43of the cam race I4I ,receivesand recedes from the roll I40, of therockTarmI I38, the plunger I44 is depressed and raised respectively. Inits yieldable down stroke the plunger evenly presses theunderlying booksupon the doors .88 .0f. the bridge throat in a manner to in e opr n n anater utwa d. thereby forcing the books uniformly throughthe throat andinto a properly positioned carton, as

will now., be descriloed. (See Figs, 1, 2, 3,. 5, 6 and '7 I s I Avertically-reciprocative carriage constituting a carton supportingandfeeding structure .e xjtends longitudinally of the machinedirectlyblow the bridge throat. This structurecompri ses a substantialbar I48 which has ,up-turned bifurcated end extensions I49 andissecuredto {a pair ofspaoed vertical rods I50whi'ch] are slidahly ftted inthe cross-bars 22 of the mainframe. These rods support at theirupper ends a horizontal open-endtrough I5I which extends free- 1ythrough the openings in the bridgeewalls. The lower ends of therods I50are connected I12 designates a carton-supply trough 'located by across-head I 52, the extremities'of which are "provided with rolls I53fitted in corresponding camra'ces I54, one of which is formed in theinner face of the gear 12 and the other in the inner face of the cam GIon the lower cam shaft 63, which races are of such formation asjtoeffect ithe raising and lowering'of the rods I58 and their appurtenancesin timed relation to the operation of the plunger I44.

Journaled in the end extensions of the bar I48 areftwo parallel crossshafts I55, I56, respectively.f Faston these shafts are sprocket wheelsI51 about which pass a pair of intermittently movable spaced conveyorchains I58, whereof the upper runs I59 travel in parallel guideways I68ex tending along the-bottom of the trough II. These chains areprovidedon their outer faces with regularly spaced lugs or projections 260'which are arranged in pairs to abut against each successive carton (C)imposed, mouth up, upon the upper runs of the chains, at one end of thetrough, and then to advance the carton directly to and beneath thebridge throat in a position to receiveth-e'a ssociated books as they aredepressed by theplunger I44. 7 p

1 In the present instance the shaft I55 has fast ther'e'ona'. ratchetwheel I6I with the teeth of whichco -acts a spring-pressed pawl I62pivoted on a rock-arm I63 loose on the shaft I55. This arm I63 ispivotally connected by means of an outwardly extending link I64 with theupstanding arm I65 of a lever which is fulcrumed on a'transverse shaftI66 fixed in brackets I61 on the adjacent ends of the frame standards.The depending arm I68 of the lever is provided with a roll I69 which isoperatively fitted in a race informed in the cam 19 on the lower camshaft 63", which race is .of such formation in relation i to the camracesi54 cfthe gear 12 and cam 6|,

respectively; that when the carton-supporting structure is lowered thelower lever arm I68 is swung' outward, thereby moving the upper arm I65'and the link I64 inward and effecting the actuation of the pawl I62 toadvance the ratchet wheel a predetermined distance; and that when 'thestructure isl'owered the pawl is idly retracted ion the-teeth of theratchet wheel and is then 'maint'ainedat'rest untilthe next succeedingupward stroke of 'the structure.

Thereupon the pawl is actuated to advance the ratchet wheel anotherstep, and so on at predetermined intervals; In each step of the ratchetwheel the shaft I 55 and its sprocket wheels I51 are partially turned ina" manner to impel the chains I59 along the trough I5I a sufficientdistance to positiona suitable height above and parallel with the feedtrough I5I and terminating in a curved chute "I13 which leads to a pointadjacent the receiving end of the latter trough, so that cartons placedupside down in the trough I12 and advanced into the upper end of thechute will gravitatethrough an arc of substantially 90, thus partiallyturning .the'cartons to permit their deposition, open side up, on theintermittently-moving conveyer chains I5I." The cartons; manually placedend to end in the trough I 12, are fedtherealong by a pair of feed beltsI14 whereofthe upper runs travel on the bottom of such trough; Thesebelts pass about pulleys I15, the shafts I16 of which are I journaled inbearingbra'ckets I- I'I at the respective ends of the supply troughJ-The shaft at the discharge end of the'trough has fast ther'eon' a inamanner continuouslyto impel'the feed belts 8 I14 and'advance thesuperposed cartons in succession to the delivery chute. i

To ensure the orderly delivery of the descending cartons to the conveyerchains I58 of the trough I5I, so that each succeeding carton dischargedfrom the chute will be properly positioned on the chains-to be engagedby the approaching lugs 260, a trip device is constructed and arrangedto swing periodically into and from the leading carton in the chute, andthereby temporarily arrest and then release the carton. (See Figs. 1, 5and 6). l

This device comprises a light one end of which is secured to an arm. I83fast on a transverse rock shaft I84 journaled in the frame standardsadjacent the chute, while the other or free end of the blade curvesoutwardly and upwardly for movement into the interior of the deliveryportion of the chute. Fast on one end of the rock-shaft is a crank armI85 which is pivotally connected with the upper end of a depending rodI86, the lower end of which is provided with an eye or collar I81 looseon the adjacent shaft I56 of the reciprocating carton supporting andfeeding structure. Hence during the downward movement of this structurethe rod I86 is lowered and the blade I82 is swung to position its freeend within the leading carton in the chute and thereby temporarily barits egress,

as seen in Figs. 1 and 5, and in the upward movement of the structuresaid rod is raised and the blade I82 is swung out from the carton so asto permit'the descent of the carton to an inclined position with itsleading end resting on the chains and its rearward end supported on thelower end of the chute I13, as shown in Fig. 5. r

curved blade I82 In thesucc'eeding downward movement of thereciprocative structure the chains are advanced one step by theco-operation of the pawl and ratchet devices, thereby advancing theinclined carton from the chute and permitting it to drop flatwise in thetrough and-upon the chains in ter. At the same time the leading'cartonin the trough 92 is impelled by the movingchains to a position directlybeneath the bridge throat, and

therefore in the next succeeding upward stroke of the structure suchleading carton is in position to receive the associated rows of booksand the downwardly swung doors 88 as and when such books are forcedthrough the throat by the descending plunger I44, as previouslydescribed.

This done, the-reciprocative structure again descends, the doors '88swing upward to closethe throat, "and-the chains are moved another stepto advance the filled carton and position another empty carton beneaththe throat, preparatory to the next succeeding ascent of thereciprocative structure; and so on.

His to be understoodthat invention is the path of the approaching" lugs268' on the latan underlying carton; y

into an underlying, carton.

saidchamber, sald'means including an element not :limited. to ,theparticularl, exemplifying tform vof embodiment, herein disclosed; as.the methanisms may.,be.:v.ariously :modified within the principle ofthe. invention andthe scope of. the

appendedclaims. l V

Iclaime o. 1. In a machine. foripacking fiat packets and the like, the,combination lofztwo elongated assem-' bly chambers arranged inspacedparallel relation,

,a trackway connectingsaid chambers and having a throatv therebetween, abarrier for saidv throat, means for :progressivelyesupplying a, predetermined number of articles totherespective chambers, and means, for movingthe two rows of articles. towardeach other along the, trackway andarranging them in juxtaposition upon thebarrier. 2.,In,a machineforpacking ,flatpackets and the like,- the. combination: of two elongatedassembly chambers arranged inispaced-parallel re- ,lation, atrackway-connecting said chambers and having a throatv therebetween, abarrier for said throat, means for progressivelysupplying a pre- 1determinedpnumber of articles to the respective chambers,v andmeanslincluding two oppositelymoving members ,formovingthe two-rows ofarticles toward eachi other along the 'trackway and arran ing themhin.juxtaposition upon the barrier. e M I 3. In a machine for packing flatpackets and the like, the combinationof-twoelongated assembly chambersarranged in spaced parallel re- ;lation, an, arched trackway connectingsaid chambers and-having a throat :therebetween, a barrier forsaid-throat, means for progressively supplying a predetermined number iof articles to the'respective chambers, and means including twooppositely-moving-,oscillating members for moving the two rows ofarticles toward each other along the trackwayandarranging them injuxtapositionupon the, barrier. a

,4; In a machine for packing flat, packets and the like,the combinationoftwo elongated assembly chambers arranged in spacedparallel relation,a,trackway connecting :said. chambers and having athroattherebetween;a-barrier'for said throat, .meansfor. progressivelysupplying a predetermined number of articles to .thetrespectivechambers,

means for moving, the ,two rows of articles toward each-other along thetrackwayand arranging themgin juxtaposition uponthe barrier, means forfeeding cartons successively beneath said throat, and means for passingthe two rows through: the throat againstthe actionbf the barrier andinto 5. In a machine. for packingflat packets and the, like, thecombination of two elongated assem- *bly chambers arranged inspacedparallel relation, a trackway connecting said chambers and having athroat therebetween, a barrier for said ,throat, means Iorprogressively-supplying a predetermined number of articles to therespective chambers, means for, moving .ythetWUrows of articles towardeachothenalong the trackway and arranging them in juxtaposition upon thebarrier, means. for, then pressing the two rows into close parallelrelation, meanspfor feeding cartonssuccessively beneath said throat, andmeans for passing the tworows through. the throat and 1 6. In a machinefor packing flat packets and the like, the combination with means ,for.supportzing ,a,succession-zoftadvancing. articles,,and an assemblygchambe-r adjacent thereto, of transfer means for; removing anaggregateuneven number ofjsaidtarticieslandlarran ina themsinarowginwhichtransfers successive even numbers of articles=to thachamber untilthe row approaches completion and then transfers an uneven numberthereofyto the chamber to complete the row.

7. Ina machine for packing fiat packets and the like, the combinationwithmeans for supporting asuccession of advancing articles, and anassembly chamber adjacent thereto,- of -transjer meansfor removing anaggregate uneven number of saidarticles and arranging them in a rowinsaidchamber, said means including anelement whichtransfers successiveeven numbers'of' articles to the chamber until the row approachescompletion and then transfers an uneven number thereof to the chamber tocomplete the rOW, and including also an element thatsuccessivelyadvances the articles along the chamber a distance equal,tothe width of each succeeding-number ,of articles introduced thereto.

8. In a machine for packing fiat packets and the like, the combinationwith means for supporting a succession of advancing articles, and anassembly chamber adjacent thereto, of transfer means for removing anaggregate uneven number i of said articles and arranging them in a'ro'win said chamber, said means including an element which, transferssuccessive even numbers of articles to the chamber until the rowapproaches completion and then transfers an uneven number then like, thecombination of means for supporting a succession of advancing articles,an abutment member, means for periodically projecting said member intoor retracting it from, thepath of the leading article at predetermined.intervals, an assembly chamber adjacent said article supporting means,an ejector reciprocative trans- ,versely of the delivery end of saidsupporting means, the acting portion of said ejectorbeing of semblychamber during each succeeding active stroke oivthe ejector when theabutmentmember iS' retracted, and for engaging a lesser number, atleast'one, of the articles when the abutment is inwardly projected.

10. In a machine for packing flat packets and the like, the combinationof means forsupporting a succession of advancing articles, anabutment-member, means for periodically projecting said member into orretractingit from the path of the leading article at predeterminedintervals, an assembly chamber adjacent said articlesupport ing means,an ejector reciprocative transversely of the delivery end of saidsupporting means, the acting portion of said ejector being of a width tobear against a definite plurality of the leading articles and transferthem into the. assembly chamber during each; succeeding active strokeof-theejector whenthe abutment member is retracted, andfor engaging alesser number, at least -one,,ofthe articles when the abutment isinwardly projected-.1 means, for moving. said, articles along a widthtobear against a definite plurality of, the leadingarticles and transferthem-into the asthe chamber as they are entered therein until apredetermined number of articles have been assembled in a row, and meansfor bodily removing the ,row broadside from the chamber.

11. In a machine for packing fiat packets and the like, the combinationof means for supporting a succession of advancing artic1es,an abutmentmember, means for periodicallyprojecting said member into or retractingit from the path of the leading article at predetermined intervals, anassembly chamber adjacent said articlesupporting means, an ejectorreciprocative transversely of the delivery end of said supporting means,the acting portion of said ejector constructed to bear against adefinite plurality of the leading articles and transfer them into theassembly chamber during each succeeding active stroke of the ejectorwhen the abutment member is retracted, and for engaging a lesser number,

at least one, of the articles when the abutment member is inwardlyprojected, means for inter- -mittently moving the articles along theassemment member, means for periodically projecting 1 said member intoorretracting it from the path of the leading article at predeterminedintervals, anassembly chamber adjacent said article-supporting means, anejector reciprocative transversely of the delivery end of saidsupporting means, the acting portion of said ejector constructed to bearagainst a definite plurality of the leading articles and transfer theminto the assembly chamber during each succeeding active.

stroke of the ejector whenthe abutment member is retracted, andforengaging a lesser number, at

, least one, of the articles when the abutment member is inwardlyprojected, means for intermittently moving the articles along theassemblingchamber as they are successively delivered therein, a backsupport for the articles within said chamber, means for graduallyretracting said support in timed relation to the delivery of thearticles in the chamber and for'returning said back support to itsoriginal inward position within the assembling chamber when apredetermined num ber of articles have been assembled in a row therein,and means for bodily removing the row broadside from the chamber.

13. In a machine for packing fiat packets and the like, the combinationof two elongated assembly chambers arranged in spaced parallel relation,means for assembling the articles in the respective chambers to producetherein two cor-v responding rows of articles, an article-supportbetween the two chambers, and means for'movl- 'ing the two rowsofarticles broadside toward each other and arranging them in juxtapositionupon I the said support.

14. In a machine for packing fiat packets and the like, the combinationof two elongated assembly chambers arranged in spaced parallel relation,means for assembling the articles" in the respective chambers to producetherein two cor- ..responding rows of article, an article-supportbetweenthet'wo chambers, and means for moving the two rows of articlesbroadside toward each other through an arc of about and arranging themin juxtaposition upon the said support.

15. In a machine for packingflat packets and the like, the combinationof two elongated assembly chambers arranged in spaced parallel relation,means for assembling the articles in the respective chambers to producetherein two corresponding rows of articles,xan elevated support betweenthe two chambers, and oscillatingjmembers movable in vertical-arcsbetween the respective chambers and the support and operative to swingthe two rows of articles broadside toward each other and injuxtaposition upon the said support; 7 I

' 16. In a machine for packing flat'packets and the like, thecombination of two elongated assembly chambers arranged in spacedrelation, slotted arcuate trackways rising from said chamber to ahorizontal level intermediate the two chambers,

a'support for articlesbetween the upper ends-of "theetrackwa'ys,oscillatory members extending through the slots of the trackwaysand'movable between the respective chambers and the sup- -port,.andmeans for actuating sai'd membersto swing the two rows of articlesbroadside toward each other and in juxtaposition upon the said support.

17. In a machine for packing fiatpackets and the like, the combinationof two elongated assembly chambers arranged in spaced relation, slottedarcuate trackways rising from said chamber to a horizontal levelintermediate the two chambers,

a support for'articles between the-upper ends of the like, thecombination of a support, means for depositing rows of articles injuxtaposition upon said support, and means for transversely pushing saidrows toward each other and in close parallel relation upon said-support,said latter means comprising a pair of members having opposing parallelacting surfaces, pendant rock arms to which said membersfare pivoted,and means for periodically swinging said arms and the presser elementstoward and from the support.

' 19. In a machine for'packing flat packets and the like, thecombination of a support, means for depositing rows of articles injuxtaposition upon said support, and means for transversely pushing saidrows toward and in close parallel relation with'each other upon saidsupport, said latter means comprising a'pair of elements having opposingparallel acting surfaces, pendant rock arms to which said elements arepivoted,

means for yleldingly swinging said arms and the presser elements towardthe support, and means for thereafter retracting the said arms and theirpresser elements.

20. In a machine for packing flat packets and the like, the combinationof a support, means for depositing rows of articles in juxtapositionupon saidsupport means, including presser elev75 .said support, andmeans for raising and temporan'ly supporting the presse-r elements asthey travel backward.

21. In a machine for packing fiat packets and the like, the combinationof a support, means for depositing rows of articles in juxtapositionupon said support, and means for transversely moving said rows towardeach other and in close parallel relation upon said support, said lattermeans comprising a pair of complementary elements having parallel actingsurfaces, pendant rock arms to which said elements are pivoted,resilient means urging said arms toward each other, rocker members forspreading said arms against the action of the resilient means, and meansfor actuating said rocker members at predetermined intervals.

22. In a machine for packing flat packets and the like, the combinationof a support having a discharge throat, a barrier for said throat, meanswhereby articles are orderly arranged upon said barrier, a carriagebeneath said throat, means for vertically-reciprocating said carriage,means mounted on and reciprocative with said carriage for feedingcartons successively under the throat when the carriage is in downposition, and means whereby the said barrier is opened and the articlesthereon are moved through the throat and into the cartons when thecarriage is in raised position, and whereby said barrier is closed whenthe carriage is lowered.

23. In a machine for packing flat packets and the like, the combinationof a support having a discharge throat, a barrier for said throat, meansfor arranging articles in orderly position upon said barrier, a carriagebeneath said throat, means for vertically reciprocatingsaid carriage atpredetermined intervals, an intermittently movable conveyer for asuccession of cartons,

said conveyer being mounted on said carriage beneath and longitudinally.of the throat, means I for actuating said conveyer in the downstroke ofthe carriage to position a carton under the throat, and means fordepressing the said articles and opening the throat when the carriage isin raised position.

24. In a machine for packing flat packets and the like, the combinationof a support having a der the throat, means for depressing the saidarticles and opening the throat when the carriage is in raised position,and means for supplying carton successively to the conveyer, saidlastnamed means including a chute, a stop device movable into and fromthe pathof each succeed-, Y

ing leading article in the chute,and operative connections whereby saidstop device is actuated concurrently with the reciprocations of thecarriage. Y

MICHAEL PARIDON.

